Radiator



R. V. FROST July 5, 1932.

RADI AT OR Filed Aug. 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l w ITA/5.5.5

July 5, 1932. R v, FROST 1,865,511

RADI AT OR Filed Aug. 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented `lilly 5, 1932UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBINSON V. FROST, 0F NORRISTOWN,PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO FROST RESEARCH LABORATORY, INC., .ACORPORATION PENNSYLVANIA RADIATOR Application med August 3, 1928. SerialNo. 297,252.

The present invention relates to heat exchange apparatus andparticularly to an improved radiator for direct heating of rooms, ofthat type comprising a primary surface in the form of a pipe or otherconduit for `the circulation of a fluid heating medium,

such as steam, and a secondary surface consisting of a series ofdiathermic fins mounted onY the primary surface to conduct the heattherefrom and give it off rapidly to the air to maintain the room at thedesired temperv ature.

T he primary object of the invention is to provide an improved radiatorof this character which has a high thermal efii'ciency both when ratedin equivalent square feet and in heating effect, and which at the sametime is compact in structure, occupies a minimum amount of space in theroom, and comprises a minimum amount of material so as to be light inweight and inexpensive both in initial cost and in cost of operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a radiator of this typehaving a casing( which encloses the primary and secondary surfaces andcoacts with the latter to form a series of separate, upwardly extendingairpassages leading through theradiator from the inlet adjacent thebottom tothe outlet adjacent the top thereof, which is rigidly securedto the secondarysurface or fins andl ties the same together to provide astrong, unitary structure, and which also 'serves both as a guard forthe radiator and to support the same in proper position on the floor andagainst a wall of the room.

Another object of the invention is to provide one or more dampersextending along the bottom of the easing and movable across -the inletthereof and across the lower ends of the fins to control theflow of airfrom the room through the air-passages ,betweenv the fins, to regulateeffectively theheat transfer i out of the way and substantially hiddenfrom View, and serving in open position as deectere to direct the airentering the radlator at the ioor level-where itk is coldest-upwardlyinto the air-passages, and in closed -I position to prevent thecirculation of air supporting and leveling the radiator, which' providesa pivotal support for the air-con trolling damper or dempers so thatthey are mounted as art of the unitary structure, and which also orms aclosure extending across and scaling the angle or corner at the junctureof the floor and the wall to prevent the accumulation of dirt and dusttherein and the carrying of such ydirt and dust upwardly through theair-passages and its delivery with the heated air into the room.

A further object of the invention is to provide a casing havinrr itsback extended upwardly and forwardly to form an inclined top whichoverhangs the air-passages and Cil constitutes a deflector or hood todirect the currents of heated air u wardly and outlation anddistribution of the" heat in the zone of occupancy of the room andthereby increase the heating effect of the radiator, the top bearingupon and beingA supported by the upper ends of the fins and serving as acover when the radiator is set back of the plaster line of the wall.

A further object of the invention is to provide a base-board radiator(that is, a' radiator of substantially the height ofthe usual base-boardof a room wall and adapted to be attached directly thereto), whichdelivers the heated air to the room at low level close to .thefloor-linawhereby to increase the heating effect and thereby obtain themaximum comfort`in the room and at the same time effect a substantialeconomy in fuel consumption.

A further object 1s to provide a base-board radiator which isof narrowdepth from front to rear, which when attached to the baseboard will notoccupy valuable room space,

offer an obstruction to furniture nor obtrude into the decorative schemeof the room, and which requires -no special wall construction toaccommodate it, although it may he installed, if desired, directlyagainst the plaster or even back of the plaster line against thestudding and the plaster carried down on the top cover, thus eliminatingthe base -board and causing the radiator to serve as a substitutetherefor.

A still further vobject of the invention is to provide an improvedradiator which may be efficiently assembled to provide not only astrong, durable and unitary structure, but also a metallic union betweenthe parts which will insure a maximum heat conductivity.

With these and other objects in View, the invention comprises thefeatures of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements ofparts which -will be exemplified in the apparatus hereinafter'set forth.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which similar referencenumerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views Figure l isa front elevation, partly broken away, illustrating the installation ofone embodiment of my improved radiator consisting of two radiator units;

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure l, the arrowsindicating the direction of the flow of the air currents through theradiator;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the diathermic fins; and

Figure 4 is a similar view of one of the dummy fins.

My improved radiator is made in units or sections of standard lengths,say of one, two or three feet, which may be installed singly or any twoor more of which may be coupled together to' provide a continuousradiator of appropriate capacity for the room to be heated. The unitsorsections are substantially identical, although in connection with theirdifferences in length they may differ in particulars hereinafter pointedout. According to the present embodiment of the invention each unit isconstructed as follows:

There is a primary surface in the form of a horizontal pipe or conduit 1for the Huid heating medium, which extends substantially centrally andlongitudinally the full length of the unit with its ends preferablyterminating flush therewith, the diameter of the pipe being relativelysmall so as not unduly to restrict or choke the air-passages,hereinafterk referred to, through the radiator, but, on the other hand,being suiciently large to permit the free flow of the heating medium soas to obtain a high thermal capacity, preferably at a low pressure. Theends of the pipe -are externally screw threaded, as indicated at 2.

Mounted on the pipe between the threaded ends thereof is a series ofdiathermic fins 3, which are disposed vertically in parallel,

spaced relation to each otherand constitute the secondary surface of theradiator. The fins are preferably stamped from or otherwise formed'ofrelatively thin sheet-metal, such as black iron sheet, and are all ofsimilar size, contour and construction, except as hereinafter noted.

Each fin is formed with a substantially central opening 4 around whichis struck up a collar 5 that projects laterally from one face of thefin, is slipped over and fits tightlyvequal length with their free endsterminating in the same plane and abuttin against the next adjacent finin the series, w iereby to maintain a suitable spacing therebetween andinsure uniformity in spacing throughout the series.

The iin is elongated vertically and has its side, or front and rear,edges parallel and disposed in vertical planes. The lower edge of theiin is concave and curved between the points where it joins the frontand back edges, on an arc centered below the fin and preferably on thecenter or median line thereof. The rear edge extends upwardly above theheight of the front edge while the upper edge or top of the fin isinclined upwardly and forwardly from its juncture with the rear edge, tothe apex of the fin that is preferably located on the center or medianline above referred to. Between its apex and its front edge the fin ismitered, as indicated at 7, the mitered edge forming an obtuse anglewith the front edge, which is somewhat greater than the obtuse anglethat the upper edge forms with the rear edge.

The pipe 1 and the series of fins 3 are enclosed by a casing forming aguard for the radiator and consisting of front and back plates, desinated' 8 and 9, respectively, which are ormed of suitable sheet-metal,such as black iron sheet, extend longitudinally the full length of theunit, and are separately secured to the respective fins to tie the sametogether and thus provide a strong, unitary structure. The front andback plates coact with the ns to form a series of separate air-passagesl() extending upwardly therebetween and leading through the radiatorfrom an air inlet opening 11 adjacent the bottom to an air outletopening l2 adjacent the top of the casing. By this arrangement thedissipation of the air-currents circulating through the radiator isprevented and they are confined between and in eective contact with thediathermic fins', whereby to insure the maximum heat transfer to the airtherefrom. p

The front plate 8 abuts against the front edges of the series of fins v3and is rigidly and permanently secured in a suitable man,- ner to thespacing-lugs 6 located at such edges, the. plate being coextensivevertically with the front edges of the fins, except that it projectsslightly downwardly below the same to provide a rearwardly facingshoulder or abutment 13.

The back plate 9 is similarly secured against the rear' edges of thefins and to the corresponding spacing-lugs 6, and is provided withsuitable means for fastening the unit against the wall of the room, suchas, one or more lie -hole slots 14 permitting the back plate to eengaged with the heads of screws 15 or the like driven into thebase-board or the wall. i

The back plate is extended downwardly and forwardly underneath the finsin a generally inclined direction but preferably on a curve to form afoot or base 16 which is adapted to rest upon the fioor of the room toassist in supporting and leveling the radiator. The

foot also forms a closure for extending across dell tti

and sealing the angle or corner at the juncture of the floor and thewall to prevent the accumula-tion of dirt and dust therein and thecarrying of such dirt and dust upwardly through the air-passages and itsdelivery with the heated air into the room. The lower edge portion ofthe foot, which bears upon the door, is disposed .on the center ormedian lines of the fins and on the centers of the arcuate lower edgesthereof. There is a space between the lower edge, portion of the footand the lower edge of' the front plate 8, forming the inlet opening 11which is, elongated and extends the full length of the casing foradmitting the air thereto at the floor level where the air of the roomis the coldest.

y Illhe foot also serves to support one or more dempers 17 forcontrolling the inlet opening 11 and thus the circulation of air fromthe room through the air passages 10, so that the hea-t transfer to theair and the heating effect of the radiator may be conveniently andeffectively regulated without the use 'of valves in the pipe 1. Eachdamper is pivoted along its lower edge to the lower edge of the foot, asfor instance, by a continuous piano hinge 18, and is thereby mounted aspart of the unita-ry structure. In'closed position the damper isinclined forwardly and extends across the inlet opening with its upperedge bearing against the shoulder or abutment 13, which thus serves as astop to support it in such position. The damper is preferably curved ordished between its upper and lower edges and is mounted with its concaveface forward so that even in the closed position thereof the damper isout of the way and substantially hidden from view. In open position.thedamper is inclined rearwardly and rests against and is supported by thefoot 16,

and serves asa deilector to direct the air enterin the inlet opening 11upwardly into the air-passages 10. The damper and the foot are similarlycurved to permit the former to fit snugly within and against the latterin this osition. Because of its pivotal mounting tlie damper maybefreely swung from one position to the other, the upper or free edge ofthe damper sweeping across the arcuate lower edges of the fins duringthis movement by virtue of the pivot being located on the centers of.such arcs. Any suitable means may be employed for operating the dampersuch as, for instance, a knob 19 of of ring term provided on the frontface thereof and readily accessible at all times for the convenientmanipulation of the damper. f The backilate is also extended upwardlyand forwar ly over the iins to form an inclined top 20 for the casing,which projects over the air-passages 10 and constitutes a deiiector orhood for directing the currents of heated air ascending therein, throughthe outlet opening 12 and forwardly and upwardly into the room, wherebyto effect a wider circulation and distribution of heat in the zone ofoccupancy of the room and thereby increase the heating eect of theradiator, as well as to rotect the surface of the wall of the room a ovethe radiator from discoloration'or other damage. The top further servesas a cover when the radiator is set back of the plaster lineof the wall.

The top 20 extends forwardly to the apexes of the tins, and bears uponand is supported by the upper edges of the ins, being rigidly secured tothe spacing lugs 6 provided at such edges, preferably ad] acent to thesaid apexes. Along its front edge the top 20 is formed with a narrow,depending iange 21 which slightly overlaps the mitered edges 7 of theviins both to strengthen the structure and to hide the spacing lugs 6just above mentioned and .provide a finish.

The front ed e of the top 20 and the upper edge of the ront plate 8 arespaced apart to form the outlet opening 12 which is elongated anddisposed longitudinally throughout the entire length of the casing. Themitered edges 7 of the iins extend across the opening 12 and arepreferably located in the plane thereof. By having the fins miteredadjacent the openiner 12 their superficial area is reducedat thedelivery end of the airpassages 10, and thus the friction and drag onthe air is reduced adjacent the deflector and at the point where theheated air-currents issue into the room.

It will he noted that in the present embodiment of the invention theinlet and outvlet openings 11 and 12 lie in inclined planes aresubstantially identical with the diathermic fins, except as hereinafternoted, and are provided with marginal spacing-lugs 6 which are securedto the front and back plates 8 and 9 and to the top 20, to support thedummy lfins in position as part of the unitary structure. The dummy finshave central openings 22 that are of somewhat larger diameter than thepipe 1, so that the latter passes freely therethrough out of thermalcontact therewith and such fins encircle the threaded ends of the pipein spaced relation thereto.

The extreme dummy fins at each end of the unit are formed with downwardextensions 23 which close the ends of space or chamber in which thedamper or dampers 17 operate. The rear edge of cach such extensionyconforms to and fits snugly against the front surface of the foot 16,so that the extension serves to brace the foot and re-enforces itagainstI strain. The front edge of the extension preferably conforms tothe contour of the damper and is disposed so as to be flush with theouter surface thereof when the damper is in its closed position. At itslow er extremity the extension 23 may terminate in an eye 24, throughwhich the Lpintle of .he piano hinge 18 passes, the eye thus becoming apart of the piano hinge whereby to afford the hinge additional supportand to secure the extension 23 against lateral displacement.

By having the extreme dummy'fins at each end of the unit inset from theplane of the end of the unit a distance equal to one-half of the uniformspacing between the fins. the uniform spacing of the fins ispreservedwhen two units of my improved radiator are assembled together end to endand any break at the joint in the regular continuity of the fins isavoided. A .suitable bead 25 may be provided on the inner surface of thecasing be tween the extremity thereof and the-extreme dummy lin in orderto engage such dummy iin to assist in securing it in position, as weilas to provide a finish when the end or ends of the radiator are exposedto view.

Where the radiator unit is of comparatively short length a single damper17 isemployed therein, but in the longer units two or more dampers maybe providedl so that they may be lndependently manipulated to regulatethe heat more effectively. In the latter instance one or more of the,diathermic Y tween adjacent dampers.

My improved radiator is of substantially the height of the usualbase-board of a room wall, and thus delivers the heated air to the roomat a low level, close to the floor line. This increases the heatingeffect of the radiator in the room and minimizes the Waste of heat(which is so objectionable in the ordinary radiators) so that themaximum comfort is obtained in the room and at the same time a.substantial economy in fuel consumption is effected. The radiator isalso of relatively narrow depth from front to rear, with. the resultthat when installed it Will not occupy valuable room space, offer anobstruction to furniture, nor obtrude into the decorative scheme of theroom.

By virtue of its form and arrangement, no special wall construction isrequired to accommodate the radiator, but it may be set directly againstthe base-board, or if desired, directly against the plaster, or evenback of the plaster line and against the studding with the plastercarried down on the top or cover 20. Vhen set either against the plasteror against the studding, the usual base-board is omitted for a distanceequal to the length of the radiator, and the radiator serves as asubstitute therefor.

Single units of the radiator may be separately installed, or two or moreunits may be installed together, according to the conditions under whichthe radiator is to be employed and the capacity required for the room tobe heated. When employed together, the adjacent ends of the units areunited by a coupling or sleeve 29 which is screwed on the meetingthreaded ends 2 of the pipes 1 of the respective units and isaccommodated within the relatively large central openings 22 of thecorresponding dummy fins 3. In thus assembling the units, the couplingis first screwed on one of the 'threaded ends 2 and the other threadedend is then brought into registry with the coupling and screwed thereinby turning one of the units relatively to the other until the meetingends of the units are drawn together with the units in longitudinalalinement to form a continuous radiator.

To install the radiator it is merely necessary to drive screws or likefastening devices 15 into the baseboard or the wall and to engage thekeyhole slots14 therewith to secure the radiator in position with thefoot or base 16 resting upon the floor. By means of elbows 27 screwed onthe threaded ends 2 at the opposite ends of the radiator, the conduit Inview of the foregoing description the operation 'of the radiator w1ll beobvious.

Itis to be noted that by having the apex of the radiator and the lowerextremity or bearing portion of the foot in substantial verticalalinement, the units of my improved radiator may, if desired, be mountedoneI above the other with the foot of the upper unit resting upon thetop of the lower unit them together.

According to this method the diathermio fins 3 are assembled, preferablyone by one, on the pipe 1 of the unit, and their collars 5 fastenedthereto by a spot or butt weld, so

l.that the entire series of diathermic tins is integrally united to thepipe in the proper yspaced relation, with a high degree of thermalconductivity between the primary and secondary surfaces of the radiator.The parts oi the casing, that is, the back plate 9,1top 20 and frontplate 8 are then attached by a spot weld to the spacing-lugs 6 of therespective diathermic tins. The dummy iins 3 are then placed in properposition within the end portions ot the unit and their spacing-lugs 6secured by a spot weld to the back plate, top and front plate. Thespaces between the tins, as well as the' inlet and outlet openings 11and 12, afiord welding tools necessary access tothe parts in the weldingof the ba/ck plate, topk and front plate to the diathermic ns and in thewelding ot the dummy fins to the hack plate, top and iront plate.

The welding of the parts not only affords a high degree ot thermalconductivity therebetween, but obviates the likelihood ot rust formingon the abutting surfaces as time goes en -which has a tendency to occurwith other forms oi' joints and results in reducing the thermalconductivity. ll/loreoyery strong, durable and permanent connectionsbetween the parts are thus provided, so that they are integrally unitedin a rigid structure and enable the unit to withstand rough or carelesshandling without danger of breakage or bending. The welding also avoidsthe presence of fastening devices on the outer or exposed surface of theradiator, so as not to detract from its appearance and from anysupercial ornamentation or finish which may be applied to it, such as,for instance, a coat of baked enamel or duco.

While other methods may be employed for constructing the units of myimproved radiator, that above described and particularly the stepthereof involving the welding of the iins to the pipe is now believed tobe the most eiicient and is preferred for the reasons inl dicated. y

It is 'to be understood that any suitable fluid heatin medium, includingelectricity, may be use for heating the primary surface, and thatvarious changes may be made in the form, arrangement and combinaticns ofthe parts of the radiator, without `departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

l Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to protect byLetters Patent Vof the United States- 1. In a radiator, a pipe for aHuid heating medium, a plurality of fins mounted at intervals along thepi e and provided at corresponding edges with laterally disposedspacing-lugs, and a plate extending across such corresponding edges ofthe fins and separately secured to the respective lugs to tie theplurality of fins together into a unitary structure.

2. In a radiator, a pipe 'for a luid heating medium, a plurality of insmounted at intervals on the pipe, a back plate abuttin against the rearedges of the tins and secure to each of such fins to tie the sametogether into a unitary structure, and a foot extending downwardly fromthe back plate below the fins and adapted to rest upon the floor tosupport the radiator.

3. In a radiator, the combination in a unitary structure, of a pipe fora fluid heating medium, a plurality of tins mounted at intervals on thepipe, a back plate extendin across the rear edges of the fins and adapteto fit against a room wall, and a foot extended downwardly irom the backplate and inclined forwardly beneath the iins and adapted both to reston the loor to support the radiator and to seal the corner between thefloor and the wall.

4. In a radiator, a pipe tor iuid heating medium, a plurality of finsmounted at intervals on the pipe, a back across the rear edges of the nsand secured to each of such fins to tie the same together into a unitarystructure, and a top extending forwardly from the back plate above thefins and constituting a defiector for air currents ascending between thetins.

5. In a radiator, a pipe for a iiuid heating medium, a plurality of nsdisposed at in tervals along the pipe, a casing having inlet and outleto enings, enclosing said tins, certain of said ns being extendedadjacent one of said openingsf'and a damper movably mounted `betweensuch extensions and controlling said last-mentioned opening.

6. In a radiator, a pipe for a fluid heating medium, a plurality of finsdisposed at intervals along the pipe, a casing having inlet and outletopenings, enclosing said fins, certain of said fins being extendedadjacent one late extending of said openings, and a plurality of dampersmovably mounted between such'extensions and controlling saidlast-mentioned opening, another of said fins being also extended to forma partition between said dampers.

7. In a radiator, a pipe for a. fluid heating medium, a plurality offins mounted atintervals along the pipe, front and back plates extendingacross the fins and secured to each of such fins to tie the sametogether into a unitary structure, a foot extending downwardly from theback plate beneath the fins and forming a base or support for theradiator, and a damper pivotally mounted on the foot and movable tocontrol the flow of air through the radiator. v

8. Iii a radiator, a pipe for a fluid heating medium, a plurality offins mounted at intervals along the pipe, a casing having inlet andoutlet openings, enclosing said fins, the fins being cut away adjacentthe outlet opening to reduce the frictional resistance to the airpassing through the radiator.

9. In a radiator, a pipe for a fluid heatingV medium, a plurality offins mounted at intervals along the pipe, and a casing enclosing thefins and having inlet and outlet openings and provided adjacent theoutlet opening with a deflector, the fins being mitered adjacent thedeflector and in substantially the plane of the outlet opening.

10. In a radiator, a pipe -for a fluid heating medium, a plurality offins mounted at intervals along the pipe, a plate extending across thefins and secured to each of such fins to tie `the same together into aunitary structure, and a foot extending downwardly from the plate,beneath the fins, and forming a support forthe radiator, one or more ofsaid fins being extended downwardly to engage the foot and brace thesame against strain.

. 11. In a radiator, a pipe for a fluid heating medium, having its endsthreaded, a series of diathermic fins mounted at intervals on the pipe,a. casing having inlet and outlet openings, enclosing the series of finswith its ends extending lengthwise beyond the same and around thethreaded ends of the pipe, the fins being exposed to view through one ofsaid openmgs, and dummy fins secured within the respective end portionsofthe casing and encircling the adjacent threaded ends of the pipe inspaced relation thereto.

12. In a radiator, a pipe for a fluid heating 'medium, a series of finsmounted on the pipe,

f'ront and back plates extending across the front and rear edges of thefins, a top inclined forwardly and upwardly from the back plate andbearing upon the upper edges of the fins,

the front edge of the top being spaced from the upper edge of the frontplate to provide,

an outlet opening lying in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined plane,and the fins extending across such opening and vbeing mitered insubstantially the plane thereof.

13. In a radiator, a pipe for a fluid heating medium, a series of finsmounted on the pipe, front and back plates extending across the frontand rear edges of the fins, and a foot inclined downwardly and forwardlyfrom the back plate, underneath the fins, with its front edge in spacedrelation to the lower edge of the front plate to provide an inletopening lying in a downwardly and rearwardly inclined plane.

14. In a radiator, a pipe for a fluid heating medium. a series of finsmounted on the pipe, front and back plates extending across the frontand rear edges of the fins, and a foot extending downwardly andforwardly from the back plate, underneath the fins, with its front edgein spaced relationto the lower edge of the front plate to provide aninlet opening lying in a downwardly and rear-y wardly inclined plane,one or more of the fins extending across the inlet opening and bearingupon the upper surface of the foot.

15. In a radiator` a pipe for a fluid heating medium, a series of nsmounted on the pipe, a back plate extending across the rear edges of thefins, a foot inclined downwardly and forwardly from the back plate,underneath the fins. a top inclined upwardly and forwardly from the backplate and bearing upon the upper edges of the fins, and' a front plateextending across the front edges of the fins and spaced from the frontedges of the foot and the top.

16. In a radiator, a pipe for a fluid heating medium. a series of finsmounted on the pipe, ea'ch of such fins having substantially verticalfront and rear edges and having at its upper end oblique edges meetingsubstantially in a projecting angle, and one or more of such fins alsohaving at their lower ends oblique edges meeting substantially in aprojecting angle, a back plate extending across the rear edges of thefins. members disposed. respectively` above and below the back plate andextending across those of the oblique edges located between the rearedges of the fins and the vertices of said angles, and a front plateextending across the front edges of the fins with its lower and upperedges spaced from the front edges of the adjacent members to provideinlet and outlet openings opposite the other oblique edges of the fins.

17. In a radiator. a pipe for a fluid heating medium, a series ofdiathermic fins mounted on the pipe with the ends of the pipe projectingbeyond the opposite ends of such series, a casing having inlet andoutlet openings, enclosing the series of tins with its ends eX- tendinglengthwise beyond the same and around the projecting ends of the pipe,the

fins being exposed to view through one of" said openings, and dummy finssecured within the respective end portions of the casing and encircllngthe adjacent projecting ends sus asoman of the pipe in spaced relationthereto to a'ord clearance for coupling means.

18. In a radiator; a horizontal pipe for a Huid heating medium; a,series of` Vertical fins mounted lon said pipe and a casing inclosingsaid fins and havlng air inlet and outlet openings terminating inforwardl converging planes; the forward edge o said ROBIN ON V. FROST.

